Taboo Definition

təbo͝o, tabo͝o
tabooed, tabooing, taboos, tabus
noun
Among some Polynesian peoples, a sacred prohibition put upon certain people, things, or acts which makes them untouchable, unmentionable, etc.
Webster's New World
The highly developed system or practice of such prohibitions.
Webster's New World
Any social prohibition or restriction that results from convention or tradition.
Webster's New World
A prohibition, especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands, excluding something from use, approach, or mention because of its sacred and inviolable nature.
American Heritage
The substitution of one word or phrase for another because of such restriction.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
adjective
Sacred and prohibited by taboo.
Webster's New World
Restricted by taboo.
Webster's New World
Prohibited or forbidden by tradition, convention, etc.
Webster's New World
Culturally forbidden.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
tabooed, tabooing, taboos
To exclude from use, approach, or mention; place under taboo.
American Heritage
To put under taboo.
Webster's New World
To prohibit or forbid because of tradition, convention, etc.
Webster's New World

To ban.

Wiktionary

To avoid.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Taboo

Noun

Singular:
taboo
Plural:
taboos

Origin of Taboo

  • Tongan tapu (“prohibited"). The word entered English around 1777. Ultimately from Proto-Polynesian *tapu.

    From Wiktionary

  • Tongan tabu under prohibition from Proto-Polynesian tapu

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Taboo Sentence Examples

  • The word holiness (qodesh) in primitive Hebrew usage partook of the nature of taboo, and came to be applied to whatever, whether thing or person, stood in close relation to deity and belonged to him, and could not, therefore, be used or treated like other objects not so related, and so was separated or stood apart.

  • The custom of taboo was very fully developed.

  • Disease and death were often connected with the violation of taboo, the offended gods thus punishing the offenders.

  • There are various other subjects and occasions of taboo, but the institution has not the oppressive and all-pervading character which it has in Polynesia.

  • They were feared, too, as ministers of the taboo and were entitled to pronounce a kind of excommunication for offences against its rules.

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Words Starting With

TTATAB

Words Ending With

OOOBOO

Unscrambles

taboo

Words Starting With T and Ending With O

Starts With T & Ends With OStarts With TA & Ends With OStarts With T & Ends With OO

Word Length

5 Letter Words5 Letter Words Starting With T5 Letter Words Ending With O